Vieira: We must save Dom's nech

Jun 22 2008

LOYAL Patrick Vieira is backing Euro 2008 flop boss Raymond Domenech to succeed in bringing through the next generation of French superstars.

Les Bleus coach Domenech has been panned for his player selections and tactics as the World Cup finalists crashed out at the group stages in Switzerland and Austria.

But despite the dismal campaign - two defeats and a draw and just one goal scored - France skipper Vieira says his country needs stability.

And axing his bespectacled boss would be a backward step.

France's football bigwigs will meet on July 3 to decide their response to the national embarrassment.

But Vieira said: "Must Domenech remain? Yes, I think so.

"I like stability. Just because there was this failure does not mean we have to start again from scratch."

However, the Inter midfielder accepts that Domenech must act to replace Les Bleus' ageing stars.

Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram have quit the international stage after the Euro 2008 exit while other members of the France old guard looked past it.

Vieira, who sat out the action this month due to a niggling thigh injury - admits he might be too old to justify selection for his country at the 2010 World Cup.

He said: "2010 is far away but it will come round really quickly.

"A new generation will arrive but the youngsters need supervision.

"However, I do not know if I will be in the right psychological and physical state to be there."

The former Arsenal man, 32 tomorrow, now faces a battle to be fit for the start of the Serie A season with Inter Milan, having failed to shake off his troublesome thigh injury.

He could not hide his frustration and reportedly clashed with team-mate Patrice Evra in the tunnel after their 4-1 defeat by Holland.

"The tear is not healed," Vieira said. "We were not able to get it to heal quickly enough.

"The staff thought there was a possibility I could play - so did I - but the pain was still there."